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TORONTO (August 26, 2026) – Batter up! Crave announced today that its much-anticipated original comedy series SLO PITCH, premieres with two episodes on Friday, Sept. 25.  Served up in outrageous mockumentary style, the series follows the Brovaries - a lovable, queer, beer league softball team, determined to defy the odds in pursuit of a championship season. Throughout 10 episodes, SLO PITCH delivers heartfelt friendships and unapologetic queer joy, through a unique Canadian lens. The series follows a weekly release schedule, with two episodes dropping each Friday.

Also announced today, the series has been acquired by Sky in the UK and Ireland, Sky New Zealand, and HBO Max in Australia, through distribution agreements secured by Sphere Abacus, a Bell Media company.

Based on the acclaimed 2020 short-form series of the same name, SLO PITCH is created by J Stevens, Karen Knox, and Gwenlyn Cumyn, and is produced by Shaftesbury in association with Crave, Boss &amp; Co, and PAGEBOY Productions. The series marks Bell Media’s first project with PAGEBOY Productions following the announcement of a co-development deal last year.

The trailer for the series is available now:

At the heart of SLO PITCH is Coach Joanne Pico (Jess Salgueiro), whose season takes an unexpected turn after being dumped by her long-time girlfriend—who promptly joins a rival team. Determined to prove everyone wrong, Joanne is more committed than ever to leading the Brovaries to the beer league championships. Along the way, the team navigates a season filled with rivalries, unexpected romances, sponsorship drama, outrageous fundraising efforts, and plenty of post-game beers, discovering that community and friendship matter just as much as winning.

Starring alongside Salgueiro is Karen Knox as Boris, Gwenlyn Cumyn as Ann, Chelsea Muirhead as Sasha, Emma Hunter as Barb, Lane Webber as Lee, Khadijah Roberts-Abdullah as Zari, Amanda Cordner as Mel, and Emily Hampshire as Leanne.

Guest stars include actors Varun Saranga, Laura De Carteret, Donald MacLean Jr., Nadine Bhabha (who is also a writer on the series) and comedians Carolyn Taylor, Chris Locke and Chris Sandiford, plus a cameo from Japanese softball pitcher Ayami Sato, who made history as the first woman to play in a Canadian men’s professional baseball league.

SLO PITCH is produced by Shaftesbury in association with Crave, Boss &amp; Co, and PAGEBOY Productions, with participation of the Bell Media Fund, Canada Media Fund,  and Ontario Creates. Christina Jennings, Scott Garvie, and Paige Haight are executive producers for Shaftesbury. Karen Knox and Gwenlyn Cumyn are executive producers, writers, and stars. The series was developed for television by Katie Ford and Jane Cooper Ford who are also executive producers. J Stevens is executive producer and director. Michael Schram is executive producer. Elliot Page and Matt Jordan Smith are executive producers, with Tuck Dowrey serving as associate producer for PAGEBOY Productions, and Emily Hampshire is executive producer.

For Bell Media, Alexis McLaren is Production Executive; Sarah Fowlie is Head of Production, Original Programming; Rachel Goldstein-Couto is Head of Development, Original Programming; Lauren MacKinlay is Development Executive; Carlyn Klebuc is General Manager, Original Programming; and Justin Stockman is Vice President, Global Content.

Meet the Brovaries: New Crave Original Comedy Series, SLO PITCH Swings into Action, September 25

TORONTO (August 26, 2026) – Batter up! Crave announced today that its much-anticipated original comedy series SLO PITCH, premieres with two episodes o...

TORONTO, ON (August 25, 2026) – The cast for the second season of the award-winning Crave Original HEATED RIVALRY continues to expand with Daniel Diemer (PERCY JACKSON AND THE OLYMPIANS, The Half of It) set to star as Ryan Price, and Shaheen Jafargholi (WAR, THE AGENCY, LOST BOYS AND FAIRIES) as Fabian Salah. The pair join Hudson Williams, Connor Storrie, Justice Smith, and Charlie Gillespie in leading roles for the upcoming season, scheduled to premiere in Spring 2027.

Produced by Accent Aigu Entertainment in association with Bell Media’s Crave, the critically acclaimed and award-winning series HEATED RIVALRY is created by Jacob Tierney and based on Rachel Reid’s bestselling Game Changers books.

"Fabian and Ryan each bring a distinctive energy to the world Rachel Reid has created,” said Jacob Tierney and Brendan Brady. “They are bold, complicated, and deeply compelling characters, and finding actors who could really take on all of those different sides was so important to us. Daniel and Shaheen bring such confidence and emotional honesty to the roles. We can’t wait for audiences to see what they do with Fabian and Ryan and how they make these characters their own."

Previously announced cast for Season 2 also includes: Emily Hampshire, Edvin Ryding, Robert Naylor, Sabrina Jalees, and Priyanka, with additional cast to be announced.

Headshots are available HERE.

The series is commissioned by Bell Media’s Crave, with the participation of the Canada Media Fund (CMF). Jacob Tierney is writer, director, and executive producer. Brendan Brady and Jayme Alter Wilson serve as executive producers. Lori Fischburg and Liane Cunje are producers, with Rachel Reid as consulting producer. Mike Goldbach serves as co-writer on Season 2.

For Bell Media: Adam Feigen is Development Executive, Scripted Original Programming; Rachel Goldstein-Couto is Head of Development; Melissa Williamson is Senior Production Executive; Sarah Fowlie is Head of Production; Li Yeh is Director, Strategic Planning, Brian Blazik is Head of Bell Media Sales, Sphere Abacus; Carlyn Klebuc is General Manager, Original Programming; and Justin Stockman is Vice President, Global Content.

The series is distributed internationally by Sphere Abacus, a Bell Media company, and is available in more than 130 countries around the world.

Daniel Diemer and Shaheen Jafargholi Announced for Crave Original, HEATED RIVALRY

TORONTO, ON (August 25, 2026) – The cast for the second season of the award-winning Crave Original HEATED RIVALRY continues to expand with Daniel Diem...

Tickets For The 2026 CCMA Awards Available HERE
Saskatoon, SK (August 20, 2026) – Today, the Canadian Country Music Association® (CCMA®) announces a second wave of performers for the 2026 CCMA Awards, taking place at Sasktel Centre in Saskatoon, SK on September 19. Newly announced additions to the star-studded 2026 CCMA Awards lineup include multi award-winning 3x 2026 CCMA Award nominee Nate Haller, 6x Platinum-certified, 2026 Group or Duo of the Year nominees High Valley, 2x JUNO-Award winning multi-Platinum alt-folk band The Strumbellas, Gold-certified, 5x 2026 CCMA Award nominees Thelma &amp; James, and multiple ACM Award-winning, 5x 2026 CCMA Award nominee and this year’s top nominated female artist Tenille Townes.

&nbsp;

Country music’s biggest night in Canada will also feature previously announced performances from Dean Brody, James Barker Band, The Reklaws, Owen Riegling, and homegrown Saskatchewan stars including Weyburn’s Tenille Arts, Shaunavon’s Hunter Brothers, Hudson Bay’s Kalsey Kulyk, and Rocanville’s Jess Moskaluke, with more exciting announcements to come.

&nbsp;

Country Music Week 2026 kicks off in Saskatoon on Wednesday, September 16, offering fans the unique opportunity to celebrate the magic of country music and the genre’s brightest homegrown stars, all culminating with the 2026 CCMA Awards on September 19. This year's CCMA Award nominees include 197 artists and industry professionals, with 72 earning their first-ever nomination.

&nbsp;

Country Music Week 2026 and the 2026 CCMA Awards are made possible through the support of the City of Saskatoon, Discover Saskatoon and Saskatoon Destination Marketing Hotels (SDMH), the Government of Saskatchewan, and the 2026 Host Committee. Bell Media will deliver extensive multi-platform 2026 CCMA Awards coverage and content across broadcast, radio, digital, and social media properties, including iHeartRadio Canada’s PURE COUNTRY.

&nbsp;

For the latest CCMA news, follow along on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube or visit www.ccma.org.

&nbsp;

Digital Toolkit And Photo Assets Available HERE

&nbsp;
###
Media Contacts:
For the Canadian Country Music Association
Red Umbrella P.R. | press@redumbrellapr.com
For CTV
Natalie Cole | Natalie.Cole@bellmedia.ca
For Discover Saskatoon &amp; SDMH
Leanne Schinkel | lschinkel@discoversaskatoon.com
For CCMA Awards + Country Music Week Sponsorship Inquiries
Sponsorship@ccma.org
For Nate Haller
Richelle Umali | richelle@ohthats.fun
For High Valley
Sylvain Morency | sylvain.morency@sonymusic.com
For The Strumbellas
Shelby Burnell | shelby@redumbrellapr.com
For Thelma &amp; James
Tiffany Astle | astle@itspenelope.com
For Tenille Townes
Sam Taus | Sam.Taus@sonymusic.com

SECOND WAVE OF PERFORMERS ANNOUNCED FOR THE 2026 CCMA® AWARDS

Tickets For The 2026 CCMA Awards Available HERE Saskatoon, SK (August 20, 2026) – Today, the Canadian Country Music Association® (CCMA®) announces a s...

August 20 – National Film Board of Canada (NFB) Short Film Collection 

 	The NFB spotlights 15 animated short films showcasing decades of Canadian creativity – including 1994 Oscar® -winning Best Short Film (Animated), BOB’S BIRTHDAY, and Oscar®-nominated short films ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR (2018), BLACKFLY (1991), THE BIG SNIT (1985), and THE CAT CAME BACK (1988), all available under The NFB Collection, Thursday, August 20 on Crave. 

 

August 21 – HBO Original CONAN O'BRIEN MUST GO (Season 3 Premiere)  

 	In this riotously funny travel series, Conan O’Brien experiences local cultures and connects with fans he previously met on his podcast. Season 3 of the Emmy®-winning HBO Original series debuts Friday, August 21 at 9 p.m. ET. New episodes of the four-episode season will debut weekly on Fridays at the same time, concluding with the season finale on Friday, September 11.
 

***Media Note: Assets for Crave programming are available at the Bell Media press site, The Lede, here   

Programming Premieres and Key Finales for the week of August 20 – 26 

*All Programming Subject to Change*    

 

HBO and HBO Max

August 21 – HBO Original CONAN O'BRIEN MUST GO S3 E1 (Season Premiere) 

 

Movies

August 20 – FOLLIES *Canadian Title* 

August 20 – CAP FAREWELL 

August 21 – GENERATIONS: THE EVOLUTION OF SPIDER-MAN (Special) 

August 21 – 10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU 

August 21 – LUCKY DAY *Canadian Title* 

August 21 – PREDATOR: BADLANDS 

August 21 – SNIPER: THE LAST STAND 

August 21 – OPPENHEIMER 

August 21 – MR. MONK’S LAST CASE: A MONK MOVIE 

August 21 – WHAT WE DREAMED OF THEN *Canadian Title* 

August 21 – SHOWGIRLS 

August 21 – SEEDS *Canadian Title* 

August 25 – AMERICAN WOMAN *Canadian Title* 

 

NFB Short Films

August 20 – ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR *Canadian Title* 

August 20 – THE BIG SNIT *Canadian Title* 

August 20 – BLACKFLY *Canadian Title* 

August 20 – BOB’S BIRTHDAY *Canadian Title* 

August 20 – THE CAT CAME BACK *Canadian Title* 

August 20 – FREAKS OF NURTURE *Canadian Title* 

August 20 – GETTING STARTED *Canadian Title* 

August 20 – IF IT WAS GOD... *Canadian Title* 

August 20 – SLEEPING BETTY *Canadian Title* 

August 20 – JUKE BAR *Canadian Title* 

August 20 – MADAME TUTLI-PUTLI *Canadian Title* 

August 20 – SAINTE BARBE*Canadian Title* 

August 20 – SPECIAL DELIVERY *Canadian Title* 

August 20 – THE SWEATER *Canadian Title* 

August 20 – WHAT ON EARTH *Canadian Title* 

 

STARZ

August 21 – RIVER *Canadian Title* 

August 21 – 10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU 

August 21 – LUCKY DAY *Canadian Title*  

August 21 – SHOWGIRLS 

 

Additional Highlights

August 25 – Crave Original DARK SIDE OF THE RING S7 E9 *Canadian Title* (Season Finale) 

August 25 – CHASSEURS D'HÉRITIERS S2 E1 *Canadian Title* (Season Premiere) 

 

Next Day on Crave

August 16 – JEOPARDY! MASTERS S4 E1 (Season Premiere) *following CTV 

August 20 – DATELINE: SECRETS UNCOVERED S17 E 12 (Season Finale) *following OXYGEN 

August 20 – 26: Crave Weekly Streaming Overview  

August 20 – National Film Board of Canada (NFB) Short Film Collection  The NFB spotlights 15 animated short films showcasing decades of Canadian creat...

TORONTO (August 19, 2026) – As CTV’s THE SOCIAL enters its 14th season this fall, the award-winning series is evolving from a weekday broadcast to a premium video podcast to better reach audiences wherever they are. Featuring the conversations, perspectives, interviews, and guests that have made THE SOCIAL a part of viewer’s daily routines, the new format continues to be available weekdays on CTV, and can also be enjoyed across Crave, iHeartRadio Canada, and THE SOCIAL’s YouTube channel.

Filmed live on THE SOCIAL’s Toronto set, without a studio audience, the reimagined format combines the strength of a podcast with the feel of a daytime series. With Jess Allen, Andrea Bain, and Cynthia Loyst, Canada’s #1 daytime talk show among all key demos continues to welcome guests and feature in-depth interviews, while discussing news, pop culture, and lifestyle topics.

With the evolution of THE SOCIAL, co-host and moderator Melissa Grelo departs the series to focus on her podcast, Aging Powerfully with Melissa Grelo. Grelo’s podcast aims to empower and inspire women at every stage of life through meaningful conversations and informative discussions with the help of experts.

“THE SOCIAL has always adapted to better serve viewers. As the reach and influence of video podcasts grows globally, this evolution was the natural next step for THE SOCIAL, allowing the series to expand and reach Canadian and international audiences on the platform of their choice,” said Laura Scarfo, Executive Producer, THE SOCIAL. “Combining what’s made THE SOCIAL popular with the more personal approach of a podcast allows greater opportunity for in-depth conversations and connections with audiences. And while we will miss Melissa’s keen insights and perspective, THE SOCIAL team will be cheering her on as she transitions full time to AGING POWERFULLY WITH MELISSA GRELO.”

An integral part of THE SOCIAL since day one, brand integrations are currently available for the upcoming season, which also includes an engaged audience across social media with over 1 million followers.

Following a hiatus featuring encore episodes, THE SOCIAL returns for Season 14 on Wednesday, Sept. 9 in its new format. Available weekdays at 2 p.m. ET/PT on CTV and streaming on Crave, with the video podcast format also on iHeart.com and the iHeartRadio Canada app. Coming in September, THE SOCIAL can also be enjoyed at 1 p.m. ET/PT live on YouTube.

THE SOCIAL is produced by Bell Media Studios. Laura Scarfo is Executive Producer. Michelle Crespi is Executive Producer and Director, Bell Media Studios.

Source: Numeris, 2025-26 Broadcast Year to Date (Sept. 1, 2025 to July 19, 2026). Final Data.

THE SOCIAL Begins a New Era, Evolving into a Premium Video Podcast Beginning Sept. 9

TORONTO (August 19, 2026) – As CTV’s THE SOCIAL enters its 14th season this fall, the award-winning series is evolving from a weekday broadcast to a p...

TORONTO, ON (August 13, 2026) – Crave announced today additional new cast members set to appear in the highly anticipated second season of HEATED RIVALRY. Joining Hudson Williams, Connor Storrie, Justice Smith, and Charlie Gillespie for HEATED RIVALRY Season 2 are: Emily Hampshire (SCHITT’S CREEK, Marvel’s VISIONQUEST) as Vanessa; Edvin Ryding (THE YOUNG ROYALS, 28 Years Later) as Luca Haas; Robert Naylor (Mile End Kicks, CARDINAL) as Wyatt Hayes; Sabrina Jalees (I Used to Be Funny, BLACK MIRROR) as Farah Jalali; and Priyanka as Tarek (DRAG BRUNCH SAVED MY LIFE, Meet Me Next Christmas).

Headshots are available HERE.

Produced by Accent Aigu Entertainment in association with Bell Media’s Crave, the critically acclaimed and award-winning series HEATED RIVALRY is created by Jacob Tierney and based on Rachel Reid’s bestselling Game Changers books. Season 2 is set to premiere in Spring 2027.

HEATED RIVALRY Season 1 told the story of rival hockey players Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie). Bound by ambition, rivalry and a magnetic pull neither of them fully understood, what began as a secret fling between two fresh-faced rookies evolved into a years-long journey of love, denial, and self-discovery.

The series is distributed internationally by Sphere Abacus, a Bell Media company, and is available in more than 130 countries around the world.

HEATED RIVALRY is commissioned by Bell Media’s Crave, with the participation of the Canada Media Fund (CMF), and the Bell Fund. Jacob Tierney is writer, director, and executive producer. Brendan Brady and Jayme Alter Wilson serve as executive producers. Lori Fischburg and Liane Cunje are producers, with Rachel Reid as consulting producer. Mike Goldbach serves as co-writer on Season 2.

For Bell Media: Adam Feigen is Development Executive, Scripted Original Programming; Rachel Goldstein-Couto is Head of Development; Melissa Williamson is Senior Production Executive; Sarah Fowlie is Head of Production; Li Yeh is Director, Strategic Planning, Brian Blazik is Head of Bell Media Sales, Sphere Abacus; Carlyn Klebuc is General Manager, Original Programming; and Justin Stockman is Vice President, Global Content.

Crave Original HEATED RIVALRY Continues to Expand Cast for Season 2

TORONTO, ON (August 13, 2026) – Crave announced today additional new cast members set to appear in the highly anticipated second season of HEATED RIVA...

TORONTO (August 13, 2026) – NEWSTALK 1010 today announced the return of veteran broadcaster Bill Carroll to Toronto radio, as he joins the station’s weekday lineup with a new program beginning Monday, Aug. 17. 

THE BILL CARROLL SHOW airs weekdays from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. ET, delivering timely conversations, in-depth interviews, and analysis of the issues shaping Toronto and beyond. With decades of broadcasting experience and strong roots in the city, Carroll brings a familiar voice and local perspective, offering listeners an important platform for dialogue each weekday morning. 

In addition to launching THE BILL CARROLL SHOW on NEWSTALK 1010, Carroll continues to host his weekday morning program, THE MORNING RUSH WITH BILL CARROLL, on Ottawa’s 580 CFRA. 

“I am beyond excited to be back on the air at one of North America’s most historic radio stations,” said Bill Carroll. “Toronto is my hometown, and it’s a city with no shortage of important stories to tell and conversations to have. I’m looking forward to connecting with listeners and being part of the discussion every weekday morning.”  

“We are thrilled to welcome Bill back to NEWSTALK 1010,” said Robert Turner, Program Director, NEWSTALK 1010. “Bill is a trusted broadcaster with a deep connection to Toronto and a passion for engaging, thoughtful discussion. As the city continues to tackle important issues and looks ahead to the future, he’ll bring listeners the insight they expect from one of Canada’s best talk show hosts.”  

The addition of THE BILL CARROLL SHOW further strengthens NEWSTALK 1010’s commitment to delivering the city’s best talk radio, featuring compelling local news, trusted analysis, and engaging discussion throughout the day. 

With the addition of Bill Carroll, NEWSTALK 1010’s new weekday lineup is as follows (all times in ET): 

 	6 a.m. – 9 a.m.: MOORE IN THE MORNING 
 	9 a.m. – 10 a.m.: THE BILL CARROLL SHOW 
 	10 a.m. – 12 p.m.: THE JERRY AGAR SHOW 
 	12 p.m. – 2 p.m.: THE VASSY KAPELOS SHOW 
 	2 p.m. – 4 p.m.: THE DEB HUTTON SHOW 
 	4 p.m. – 6 p.m.: THE JIM RICHARDS SHOW 
 	7 p.m. – 11 p.m.: SHANE HEWITT AND THE NIGHT SHIFT 

Listeners can tune in to THE BILL CARROLL SHOW starting Monday, Aug. 17 on NEWSTALK 1010, with the full NEWSTALK 1010 lineup also available via audio live stream on iHeart.com and the iHeartRadio Canada app.

NEWSTALK 1010 Welcomes Bill Carroll Back to Weekday Lineup with THE BILL CARROLL SHOW, Beginning August 17

TORONTO (August 13, 2026) – NEWSTALK 1010 today announced the return of veteran broadcaster Bill Carroll to Toronto radio, as he joins the station’s w...

August 14 – MICHAEL *Movie Premiere* 

 	MICHAEL is the cinematic portrayal of the life and legacy of one of the most influential artists the world has ever known. The film tells the story of Michael Jackson’s life beyond the music, tracing his journey from the discovery of his extraordinary talent as the lead of the Jackson Five, to the visionary artist whose creative ambition fueled a relentless pursuit to become the biggest entertainer in the world. Highlighting both his life off-stage and some of the most iconic performances from his early solo career, the film gives audiences a front-row seat to Michael Jackson as never before. The film makes is streaming debut Friday, August 14. 

 

August 14 – HBO Original WHITMER THOMAS: TERMINAL CREW OF DUDES *Stand-Up Special Premiere*   

 	In his second HBO stand-up special, comedian, musician, and actor Whitmer Thomas digs into his small-town Alabama upbringing… and his ongoing quest to be cool. Joined onstage by his bandmates and closest friends – Jeremy Ritchie, Clay Tatum, Budd Diaz, and brother Johnny McCann – Whitmer shares irreverent and heartfelt stories chronicling his chaotic adolescence, from pranks and skateboarding to ruining a Benihana birthday party. Blending original songs, photos, and home videos, WHITMER THOMAS: TERMINAL CREW OF DUDES is a funny and deeply personal tribute to the people and moments that shape us. 

 

August 16 – LANTERNS *Series Premiere* 

 	The DC Studios and Warner Bros. Television series LANTERNS follows new recruit John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) and Lantern legend Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler), two intergalactic cops drawn into a dark, earth-based mystery as they investigate a murder in the American heartland. The new-series also stars Kelly Macdonald, Garret Dillahunt, Poorna Jagannathan, Laura Linney, Jason Ritter, Ulrich Thomsen, Nathan Fillion, J. Alphonse Nicholson, and Jasmine Cephas Jones, and premieres Sunday, August 16 at 9 p.m. ET on Crave 

***Media Note: Assets for Crave programming are available at the Bell Media press site, The Lede, here   

Programming Premieres and Key Finales for the week of August 13 – 19 

*All Programming Subject to Change*    

 

HBO and HBO Max

August 14 – HBO’s WHITMER THOMAS: TERMINAL CREW OF DUDES (Stand-Up Special Premiere) 

August 16 – LANTERNS S1 E1 (Series Premiere) 

 

Movies

August 13 – THE STRANGER  

August 14 – LADY BIRD  

August 14 – FALCON LAKE *Canadian Title* 

August 14 – MRS. DOUBTFIRE 

August 14 – THE PLAGUE 

August 14 – THE FIRE INSIDE 

August 14 – MICHAEL 

August 14 – I CAN ONLY IMAGINE 2 

August 18 – BEFORE MY HEART FAILS 

 

STARZ

August 14 – LADY BIRD 

August 14 – FALCON LAKE *Canadian Title* 

August 14 – MRS. DOUBTFIRE 

August 14 – BEAST (2022) 

 

Additional Highlights

August 13 – THE TRAITORS INDIA S2 E1-3 (Season Premiere) 

August 13 – CANADA’S DRAG RACE: ALL STARS S1 E6 (Season Finale) 

August 19 – PAW PATROL S7 Part 1, E 1-13 

 

Next Day on Crave

August 18 – THE QUIZ WITH BALLS S3 E12 (Season Finale) *following CTV

August 13 – 19: Crave Weekly Streaming Overview  

August 14 – MICHAEL *Movie Premiere*  MICHAEL is the cinematic portrayal of the life and legacy of one of the most influential artists the world has e...

TORONTO, ON (August 7, 2026) – The hit Crave Original HEATED RIVALRY has cast Justice Smith (I Saw the TV Glow, Now You See Me: Now You Don’t) and Charlie Gillespie (One Night Only, Splitsville, Suze) as Harris Drover and Troy Barrett. Smith and Gillespie join Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie in leading roles for the upcoming new season which is scheduled to premiere in Spring 2027.

Produced by Accent Aigu Entertainment in association with Bell Media’s Crave, the critically acclaimed and award-winning series HEATED RIVALRY is created by Jacob Tierney and based on Rachel Reid’s bestselling Game Changers books.

“Rachel Reid has given us two beautifully layered characters in Harris and Troy who you can’t help but root for,” said Jacob Tierney and Brendan Brady. “From the start of the casting process, we knew we were looking for actors who could create something truly special together and bring that same depth and heart to the screen. Justice and Charlie do exactly that. They immediately connected with the vulnerability and resilience at the core of these characters, bringing an instinctive understanding of who Harris and Troy are.”

Headshots are available HERE.

Season 1 told the story of rival hockey players Shane Hollander (Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Storrie). Bound by ambition, rivalry and a magnetic pull neither of them fully understood, what began as a secret fling between two fresh-faced rookies evolved into a years-long journey of love, denial, and self-discovery.

The series is commissioned by Bell Media’s Crave, with the participation of the Canada Media Fund (CMF). Jacob Tierney is writer, director, and executive producer. Brendan Brady and Jayme Alter Wilson serve as executive producers. Lori Fischburg and Liane Cunje are producers, with Rachel Reid as consulting producer. Mike Goldbach serves as co-writer on Season 2.

For Bell Media: Adam Feigen is Development Executive, Scripted Original Programming; Rachel Goldstein-Couto is Head of Development; Melissa Williamson is Senior Production Executive; Sarah Fowlie is Head of Production; Li Yeh is Director, Strategic Planning; Brian Blazik is Head of Bell Media Sales, Sphere Abacus; Carlyn Klebuc is General Manager, Original Programming; and Justin Stockman is Vice President, Global Content.

The series is distributed internationally by Sphere Abacus, a Bell Media company, and is available in more than 130 countries around the world.

Justice Smith and Charlie Gillespie Join Crave Original, HEATED RIVALRY

TORONTO, ON (August 7, 2026) – The hit Crave Original HEATED RIVALRY has cast Justice Smith (I Saw the TV Glow, Now You See Me: Now You Don’t) and Cha...

By BILL HARRIS

Special to The Lede

&nbsp;

Host Shan Boodram had a simple yet poignant observation about the sexy singles who chose to participate in TEMPTATIONS UNDER THE SUN: CYPRUS.

“If you don't want to play games, then it's not really the show to be on,” said Boodram, summing it up succinctly.

An English spinoff of a hit Québec series, TEMPTATIONS UNDER THE SUN: CYPRUS is a Crave Original that premieres on Friday, Aug. 7. Guided by Boodram, who is a renowned sexologist, intimacy expert, and host of the “Lovers By Shan” podcast (available on iHeartRadio.com and the iHeartRadio Canada app), paired-up contestants face steamy challenges, wild parties, surprise arrivals, and heart-wrenching eliminations, all while earning valuable points that unlock major advantages.

The boldest and most magnetic duo will win $50,000 and be crowned “Canada’s Most Seductive Couple.” But that’s a non-binding title, which is one of the things Boodram appreciates most.

“I love the fact that the show didn't ask people to be inauthentic,” Boodram said. “Look, you're in your 20s, we know what it is, you want to explore. You're not looking for the person you want to marry right now. Statistically, we know that the age people get married is getting later and later, as people make other important life decisions before they decide who their life partner is. And so, I think that the show being mindful of that is huge progress, and it does alleviate a lot of the unrealistic expectations that we sometimes put on reality stars.”

She continued, “you wouldn’t want to force people to be in relationships that are genuinely not fulfilling or compatible. It's a very big difference between having a fiery, beautiful connection with somebody in a controlled environment that's designed to bring out the most flirty side of yourself, versus in the real world, where we have real stress. So I love the fact that this show was like, ‘we're here for a good time, not a long time.’ I'm sure some of the couples have kept in touch, and if they did, I'd be thrilled to hear their stories. But there was no pressure to do that. It was merely, be brave, be fearless, be bold, rejection's a part of it, have fun.”

Of course, for viewers, the fun of watching a series such as TEMPTATIONS UNDER THE SUN: CYPRUS is the opportunity to live vicariously.

“These people are extraordinary physical specimens, right?” Boodram said. “There’s not a hair or a body part out of place. They're just interesting to look at, in the same way that we look at athletes. And let's be clear about something: it is a skill to be able to put yourself out there, and try to do the most vulnerable thing in the world in front of millions of people.”

Boodram added that she spent some time studying “pickup artistry,” with a pickup coach, who had a very interesting perspective to share with her.

“He told me that he works with all kinds of people: Navy SEALs, police officers, people who travel to space, people who put their bodies on the line every day, in really extreme ways,” Boodram recalled. “And yet, almost all of them say, ‘I would rather do something incredibly dangerous than walk up to someone who I think is attractive, and ask them if they think I’m attractive.’ So there’s a lot of pressure on our participants, especially when viewers are hyper-analyzing every move they make, and looking for certain outcomes. So I commend the young people who put themselves forward, and everybody on the show. I really adored them.”

Finally, Boodram claims in one of the episodes of TEMPTATIONS UNDER THE SUN: CYPRUS that there is a health benefit to kissing. Was that merely showmanship, or is it true?

“Of course it’s true, bare minimum from a nervous-system reset,” she insisted. “You can go ahead and kiss your hand right now to test it out. It reassures you that there is safety around. It's a form of face yoga. You can actually burn a little bit of calories from kissing, especially if you're kissing with the body as well, the hips and the hands. It’s also good cardio, if you have to hold your breath for a long period of time. So we could go on about the health benefits of it, but I think by and large, we all should all be kissing a little longer.”

The participants on TEMPTATIONS UNDER THE SUN: CYPRUS clearly don’t need convincing!

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Let The Games Begin! Host Shan Boodram Sets The Stage For TEMPTATIONS UNDER THE SUN: CYPRUS

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